Since taking over as India’s Test No. Four from Kohli, Gill has scored 147, 8 and 50*.
Patience. That’s perhaps the most important trait of any successful Test batter. The ability to curb your natural instinct. To dictate the terms, even if it means not playing your favourite shot. To be assured that runs will come for you, among a long dot spree.
Gill shows grit
Today at Edgbaston, Shubman Gill has passed the patience test with flying colours. For someone who scored a 56-ball fifty in the last Test match, the Indian Test captain has grinded his way to an important half-century in 125 balls.
The English bowlers tested his defence. That ball was consistently pitched outside the off stump by the fast bowler. Gill left most of these deliveries and about four fielders were placed in the 30-yard circle to ensure he didn’t get runs through the region.
At any point, Gill could have hit an aggressive shot in frustration. But that didn’t happen. He had decided that the patience game will be won by him and not England. They can toil hard and bowl outside off, but he won’t budge. And in the end, he was the victor.
Like the Headingley Test, Gill had come out to bat as India lost the second wicket at the stroke of Lunch. Yashasvi Jaiswal was once again his partner. However, the pacing of the match was much different. Gill himself was suffocated for runs. And while Jaiswal and then Rishabh Pant couldn’t, through their natural attacking instinct, Gill was able to do so.
This is very similar to what Virat Kohli used to do. An attacking batter like Gill, he often curbed his instinct and let balls go outside off. He knew an assured defence was similar to attacking. And Gill exercised the same at Edgbaston.
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